Inventory of the American Association of University Women, Bryan-College Station Branch Records:

1947-1988

American Association of University Women. Texas Division. Bryan-College Station Branch.

Title

Inventory of The American Association of University Women, Bryan-College Station Branch
Records

Dates

1947-1988

Abstract

The Bryan-College Station Branch of the American Association of University Women originated in 1948 with seventy-one charter members under the leadership of Mrs. Omar Sperry. Since its inception the branch has been actively involved in many civic improvement projects for the cities of Bryan and College Station. Among the activities which have highlighted their history are creating a Friends of the Public Library organization in 1955; beginning the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural Science in 1961; developing local day care centers in the 1960's; and creating a coalition of organizations through a "women's conference" in 1978. These records consist of AAUW publications, president's records spanning the organization's forty-year history, and information regarding the branch's involement in supporting the Bryan Day Care Center, as well as four scrapbooks.

The Bryan-College Station Branch of the American Association of University Women originated in 1948 with seventy-one charter members under the leadership of Mrs. Omar Sperry. Since its inception the branch has been actively involved in many civic improvement projects for the cities of Bryan and College Station, Tex. Among the activities which have highlighted their history are creating a Friends of the Public Library organization in 1955; beginning the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural Science in 1961; developing local day care centers in the 1960's; and creating a coalition of organizations through a "women's conference" in 1978.

The American Association of University Women was created over a century ago when seventeen college alumnae met in Boston, Mass. to discuss the possibility of forming an organization for women college graduates. The intent of this organization was to expand the range of professional opportunities available for female college graduates, and to enable more women to pursue higher education in the future.

In 1882, one year after this original meeting, the Assocation of Collegiate Alumnae was formed. It consisted of sixty-five graduates from eight different colleges and universities. By 1884, local branches were being added to the parent organization, and in 1889 a membership policy was codified which specified certain standards to be met by its members.

Since those early years, the organization, now called the American Association of University Women, has become nationwide. In 1882 it celebrated its 100th anniversary with over 140,000 members. Significantly, since 1987 these members have included men.

The AAUW has, however, achieved much more than just membership growth. Its services to higher education and the community in general have been great. Hospitality programs for foreign students, graduate fellowships for women scholars, educational legislation committees, adult education programs and current issue workshops are a few of these outstanding accomplishments.

These records consist of AAUW publications, president's records spanning the organization's forty-year history, and information regarding the branch's involement in supporting the Bryan Day Care Center, as well as four scrapbooks.

Association publications include the newsletter from the local branch, as well as journals, newspapers, and bulletins published by the national and international parent organizations. Included in the president's records are branch reports, rosters, financial information, and correspondence. Also present are minutes and other records pertaining to the Bryan Day Care Center and the AAUW's contributions to it. In addition, one file in the collection contains a brief history of the local organization, begining with its inception in 1948 and reviewing important milestones of each year up to 1980.

Usage Restrictions

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online
catalog of Cushing Memorial Library. Researchers wishing to find related materials
should search the catalog under these index terms.

Names

Sperry, Omar, Mrs.

Organizations

American Association of University Women. Texas Division. Bryan-College Station Branch.

Carnegie Public Library (Bryan, Tex.). Friends.

American Association of University Women--History.

American Association of University Women. Texas Division. Bryan-College Station Branch.--History.